Strip dispensing apparatus



March 2, J Q SHERMAN T AL STRIP DISPENS ING APPARATUS Filed Aug. 27, 1934 3 Sheets-Sheet l 37.3 2 Q. is: my

7T RNE V March 2, 1937.

J. Q. SHERMAN ET AL STRIP DISPENSING APPARATUS Filed Aug. 27, 1934 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 March 2, 1937.

J. Q. SHERMAN E STRIP DISPENSING APPARATUS Filed Aug. 27, 1934 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 Patented Mar. 2, 1937 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE STRIP DISPENSING APPARATUS Application August 27,

20 Claims.

This invention relates to strip dispensing apparatus adapted for use with manifolding pack holders or registers and writing machines employing continuous series connected forms, and

5 more particularly to automatic arresting and releasing means for retarding the advancement of the strips or forms when a predetermined length has been withdrawn and facilitating the aligning and registering of superposed forms in writing 10 position.

For illustrative purposes the invention has been shown as embodied in a simple form of portable manifolding register and as applied to a conventional form of carbon shifting apparatus for 15 typewriting' machines. It will be obvious that the invention is not limited to either embodiment but may be incorporated in other forms of manifolding apparatus employing either single or multiple record strips folded into zigzag g formation, preferably, though not necessarily, coincident with transverse weakening division lines upon which the strips are to be separated into successive sheets;

When multiple strips are to be employed for as producing manifolded records, the terminal portions thereof are issued in superposed registering relation with portions of transfer material interleaved therebetween, ready to receive written inscription. The present arresting and re- 30 leasing means serves to temporarily retard the advancement of the strips when predetermined lengths have been withdrawn from the source of supply as a means of indicating such fact to the operator and also serving to locate the dis- 35 pensed portions of the strips in aligned and registering relation in the writing position.

The object of the invention is to improve the construction as well as the means and mode of operation of manifolding registers and other strip 40 dispensing apparatus whereby they will not only be simple in construction, and capable of being economically manufactured, but will be more efficient in use, capable of rapid operation; ac-

curate and automatic in action, and unlikely to 45 get out of repair.

A further object of the invention is to provide automatic aligning and registering means for strips whereby accurate relation of the strips in writing position may be assured.

A further object'of the invention is to provide means for temporarily retarding the advancement of the record forms when predetermined lengths thereof have been withdrawn from the source of supply and to automatically 55 release the forms preparatory for further ad 1934, Serial No. 741,578

vaneement under influence of increased pulling tension thereon.

A further object of the invention is to afford an appreciable signal to the operator when predetermined lengths of forms have been withdrawn from the source of supply.

A further object of the invention is the embodiment of simple but eflicient strip aligning .and registering means in a container or dispensing apparatus of small and compact form.

A further object of the invention is the application of improved aligning and registering means to strip feeding and carbon shifter attachments for writing machines.

A further object of the .invention is to provide a strip arresting and releasing means having the desirable features and advantageous characteristics hereafter mentioned,

With the above primary and other incidental objects in view, as will more fully appear in the specification, the invention consists of the features of construction, the parts and combinations thereof, and the mode of operation, or their equivalents, as hereinafter described and set forth in the claims.

In the drawings, wherein is shown the preferred but obviously not necessarily the only forms of embodiment of the invention, Fig. l is a perspective view of a manifolding pack holder or portable register in an open condition with the record and transfer material and structural features of the register extended. Fig. 2 is a perspective view of apack of record strips and interleaved transfer material preparatory to insertion in the dispensing apparatus. Fig. 3 is a perspective view of the dispensing apparatus with the packet of manifolding material removed therefrom and showing the guiding and arresting means in extended position by dotted lines. Fig. 4 is a longitudinal sectional View of the pack holder shown in Figs. 1 and 3, with the arresting and guide bar in its normal or strip arresting position and in en.- gagement with the strips to be dispensed. Fig. 5 is a detail view showing the arresting and guide bar in its retracted position at the initial pulling operation preparatory to the advancement of the strips. Fig. 6 is a similar view showing the relation of the strips and arresting and guide bar after the advancement of the strips has been initiated and the detent bar disengaged from the fold thereof and returned to its normal position preparatory to arresting engagement in the next succeeding fold of the strips. Fig. 7 is a detail view illustrating a modification wherein the arresting or detent bar is reversible under influence of pulling tension upon the strips to release one edge thereof from an engaged fold and present the opposite edge in position for engagement in the succeeding fold of the strips. Fig. 8 is a further modification wherein the detent bar is mounted for oscillatory motion under manual operation, the sides of the box or receptacle not being shown. Figs. 9 and 10 are detail views of a further modified form of manually operable arresting and guide means, showing the apparatus in its initially engaging and in its release condition. Fig. 11 is a side elevation of a conventional form of carbon shifter and strip feeding means for a writing machine to which the present strip-arresting and release means has been applied. Figs. 12 and 13 are detail views showing the arresting and detent means illustrated in Fig. 11 in the normal strip engaging position and in the initial releasing position. Figs. 14, 15, and 16 are detail views of a modification similar to that illustrated in Fig. 7. Like parts are indicated by similar characters of reference throughout the several views.

Referring to the drawings, I indicates a box or receptacle to receive a packet of record strips 2 folded into zigzag formation, as illustrated in Fig. 2, which are provided with transverse weakening lines preferably coincident with the relatively spaced folds, upon which the strips may be divided into successive sets of sheets or slips.

Interiorly of the box or receptacle I there is provided a swinging frame comprising the side arms 33 pivoted at their extremities to the side walls of the box I and interconnected at their free ends by a transverse strip arresting or detent bar 4 which forms a guide for the record strips.

The record strips, comprising the packet 2, are extended within the box I about the transverse guide and detent bar 4 and about which they abruptly change their direction of travel and extend beyond the box or container I with transfer sheets interleaved between their terminal portions which are folded reversely over the writing tablet 5.

The box or container I is provided with a hinged lid or cover 5 which affords a writing tablet and over which the terminal portions of the record strips withdrawn from the box or container I are to be disposed in reversely fold-- interleaved ed relation with transfer sheets therebetween to receive an inscribed record.

The free ends of the record strips are detachably secured upon the lid or writing tablet 5 by being tucked beneath a clamp finger 6 carried at one end of the lid 5 and overhanging the ends of the record strips when disposed in writing position thereon.

The terminal sections of the strips are interleaved with transfer sheets I of somewhat greater length than the interconnected forms comprising the record strips and therefore extending somewhat beyond the initial fold of the strip assembly. These transfer sheets I are provided at their inner ends with transverse supporting bars 8, preferably of relatively stiff cardboard, which project beyond the lateral margins of the record strips 2 and the interleaved transfer sheets 1 for engagement in undercut holding or anchor slots 9 in the swinging arms 3 within the container or dispensing apparatus. The sheets 1 of transfer material are thus anchored interiorly of the box or container I and extend thence exteriorly thereof in interleaved relation with the terminal portions of the strips through the exit opening or slot provided at I0 between the top margin of the end wall of the container and the lid or writing tablet, when the latter is in closed position, and are reversely folded with the strips over the lid or writing tablet 5.

The guide and detent bar 4 is pivotally mounted in the swinging arms 3 for rocking motion and is provided with a relatively sharp edge which is engageable in succeeding folds of the record strips 2 to temporarily arrest the advancement of the strips, In its normal position this rocking guide bar extends into proximate relation with a flanged plate II projecting interiorly of the box or container and forming, in conjunction with the guide bar 4, a throat I2 through which the strips pass and which restricts bulging tendency. The strips will flow freely about the edge of the guide bar 4 until a fold is encountered, which conforming more closely to the relatively sharp edge of the guide and arresting bar 4 will tend to resist the further movement of the strips.

This engaging edge of the guide or retarding bar 4 is spaced from the terminal margin of the lid or writing tablet 5, about which the strips are subsequently reversely folded in an opposite direction, a distance equal to the length of the forms or the spacing between successive folds of the strips. Thus while one fold of the strips conforms to and is engaged by the margin of the guide and detent bar 4, the next sueceeding fold closely conforms in like manner to the edge of the writing tablet or lid 5. Accurate registry of the superposed printed forms in writing position upon the tablet 5 is thus assured. After the writing operation is completed, the inscribed portions of the strips with the interleaved transfer material are removed from the writing tablet and extended outwardly away from the box or container I and pulling tension is applied to the strips to withdraw a succeeding set of forms from the container. In this withdrawal operation, the transfer sheets I are stationarily held by the engagement of the protruding ends of their supporting bars or strips 8 in the notches 9 of the swinging arms 3 while the record strips are advanced relative thereto.

Upon the initial pulling tension upon the strips, the guide bar 4 will yield about its pivotal connection against the tension of its retracting spring I3. As the bar 4 approaches a reverse position under the influence of pulling tension upon the strips due to the interlocking engagement of the folds of the strips with the bar, the fold will be disengaged from the edge of the guide bar 4 and the latter will be returned to its position, wherein it will engage the next succeeding fold, by the retracting spring I3.

The relation of the strips to the guide and detent bar is illustrated in Figs.'4, 5, and 6 wherein Fig. 4 shows the normal locking or arresting relation wherein the relatively sharp edge of the guide bar is engaged in the transverse folds of the strips to yieldingly retard the further advancement thereof. As the pulling tension is increased upon the strips, the guide bar 4 is subject to rocking adjustment from the position shown in Fig. 4 to approximately that illustrated in Fig. 5, in which relation the fold may be more easily drawn past the edge of the guide bar which is then returned to its normal position, and the unfolded portion of the strip will then engaging position to releasing position.

fiow easily past the guide bar with a bulging effect, as is illustrated in Fig. 6, until the next succeeding fold is encountered. The guide bar 4 is thus rocked to automatically disengage the fold of the strips and so release the strips for further advance movement and is immediately repositioned preparatory to engagement with, the next succeeding fold of the strips when a predetermined portion thereof has been withdrawn from the container. In Fig. 7 there is shown a modification wherein the guide bar 4 is provided with opposite relatively sharp margins which are alternately engageable, with succeeding folds of the strips, the bar being given a half rotation at each operation to present the opposite edges alternately in engagement with the strips. The double bar, illustrated in Fig. '7, is provided with a flattened hub I4 engaged by a spring finger l which yieldingly holds the bar in its fold engaging position, but yields to permit reversal of the bar. This spring finger engages alternately the opposite sides of the flattened hub i4, and when the bar has been rotated beyond a dead center relation relative to the spring, the latter. by pressure upon the flattened face of the hub, will assist in completing the rotation of the bar. The function and operation of this form of embodiment is substantially identical with that before described except that the bar, as stated, is rocked through a half rotation at each operation to present its opposite edges alternately in fold engaging position,

While for ordinary usage the dispensing apparatus is preferably automatically operated to release the strips for further adjustment by increased pulling tension upon the strips, in order to accommodate the apparatus to varying conditions of use and other requirements it may be desirable to provide manually operated means for releasing the engaged fold of the strip from the guide bar preparatory to the advancement of the strips. One such form of manual release means is illustrated in Fig. 8, wherein the transverse guide bar 4 is carried by swinging arms [6,

pivoted to the side walls of the box or container,

and capable of oscillatory movement by means of a finger lever i1 positioned exteriorly of the box. Upon oscillation of the finger lever ll, the arms l6, carrying the guide and detent bar 4, are oscillated against the tension of a retracting spring I8 into the position shown by dotted lines in Fig. 8 thereby withdrawing the guide and detent bar t from the engaged fold and allowing the strips to be freely withdrawn.

An alternative form of manual operating means is illustrated in Figs. 9 and 10, wherein the rocking guide and detent bar 3, pivotally mounted in the side walls of the box or container i, carries a gear pinion 28. A spring retracted plunger 28 is provided with rack-teeth 22 engaging the teeth of the gear pinion Ell whereby, as the plunger 2i is depressed, the rank-teeth will eifect an oscillation of the gear pinion 2t and with it the guide and detent bar l to rock the bar from its fold The plunger fit is capable of lateral deflection simuitaneously with its depressionl' and carries laterally projecting studs 23 engaging in cam slots 2d in a suitable guide plate 25 which, as the plunger approaches the limit of its actuating movement, causes sufficient lateral deflection thereof to disengage the rack-teeth 22 from the gear pinion 2c, thereby allowing the gear pinion and guide bar 4 to be returned to-their normal position under the influence of an actuating spring similar to the spring l3 shown in preceding views. Thus while the guide bar is manually rocked into position to release the engaged folds, it is subsequently automatically returned to position for reengagement with the next succeeding fold.

The return oscillation of the guide bar and gear pinion occurs while the plunger is at the limit of its descent and lateral motion. Upon release of the plunger for retractive motion it is again guided laterally into engagement with the gear pinion at the beginning of its return motion and will tend to rotate the gear in reverse direction. To accommodate such reverse motion the guide and-detent hard and the gear Fig. 11 there is shown a side elevation of a con-' ventional form of strip feeding and carbon shifting apparatus consisting of a frame 25 projecting upwardly and rearwardly from the writing machine, over which record strips are progressively fed to the platen roll 2! of such writing machine. Mounted in the top of the frame 26 is a rocking guide bar 28 corresponding to the guide and detent bar 4. This bar 28 is pivoted in the frame 26 andis provided with a relatively sharp edge for engagement in succeeding folds of the record strips. By its engagement in the folds, as illustrated in Fig. 12, this bar affords a retarding effect upon the feeding movement of the strips sufiicie-nt to indicate to the operator that a predetermined length of the strips has been advanced about the platen roll, and by conformity of the folds ofseveral superposed strips about the edge of the guide or detent bar 4, accurate alignment and registry of printed forms upon the strips is assured.

Upon pulling tension being applied to the strips by the further operation of the platen roll, the guide harm is oscillated, as shown in Fig. 13, against the tension of the retracting spring 29. In its oscillated position. the strips will feed freely about the edge of the bar and upon disengagement of the engaged folds therefrom the bar will be automatically returned to its normal fold engaging position as shown in Fig. 11 while the strips continue to feed thereabout until the next succeeding told is engaged by the guide and detent bar 2t.

in Figs. 14 and 15 there is shown a modification similar to that illustrated in Fig. 7, wherein the guide bar is provided with opposite relatively sharp marginal edges which are alternately engaged-with the record strips. This bar is provided with the flattened hub it engaged by a detent spring 95, as illustrated in the detail view Fig. 16.

Cross reference is made to copending com-,

panion applications, Serial No. 673.207. filed May 27, 1933. Serial No, 677,629, filed June 26. 1933, Serial No. 729,034, filed June i, 1934, Serial No. 741,579, filed August 2'2. 1934, and Serial No. 741,- 580, flied August 27, 1934.

From the above description it will be apparent that there is thus provided a device of the character described possessing the particular features of advantage before enumerated as desirable, but which obviously is susceptible of modification in its form, proportions, detail construction and arrangement of parts without departing from the principle involved or sacrificing any of its advantages.

While in order to comply with the statute, the invention has been described in language more or less specific as to structural features, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited to the specific features shown, but that the means and construction herein disclosed comprise the preferred form of several modes of putting the invention into effect, and the invention is therefore claimed in any of its forms or modifications within the legitimate and valid scope of the appended claims.

Having thus described our invention, we claim:

1. A strip dispensing apparatus wherein a strip of record material folded into zigzag formation is advanced from a source of supply to a writing position through a prescribed path of travel wherein it abruptly reverses its direction of travel, characterized by a pivotally mounted strip engaging member engageable therewith to retard the travel of the strip when a predetermined length thereof has been advanced, manually operated means adapted to release the strip by pivotal movement of said engaging member, and an actuating spring for automatically moving the engaging member into re'engaging position after each strip releasing movement. Y

2. A strip dispensing apparatus wherein a strip of record material folded into zigzag formation is advanced from a source of supply to a writing position through a prescribed path of travel wherein it abruptly reverses its direction of travel, characterized by a pivotally mounted member having an edge engageablein succeeding folds of the strip to temporarily retard the advancement thereof, and adapted to release the strip upon pivotal motion of said member swinging the edge out of engagement withthe fold, and means for moving said-pivotally mounted member by the efforts of the operator to release the engaged fold of the strip therefrom.

3. A strip dispensing apparatus wherein a strip of record material folded into zigzag formation is advanced from a source of supply, to a writing position through a prescribed path of travel wherein it abruptly reverses its direction of travel, characterized by a bar mounted for rocking motion and having a relatively sharp edge engageable in the succeeding folds ofthe strip to retard the advancement thereof, and means for manually rocking the bar to release the engaged fold of the strip therefrom. I

4. A strip dispensing apparatus wherein a strip of record material folded into zigzag formation is advanced from a source of supply to a writing position through a. prescribed path of travel wherein it abruptly reverses its direction of travel, characterized by a bar mounted for rocking motion and having a. relatively sharp edge engageable in the succeeding folds of the strip to 'reing movement of the bar out of engaging relation.

with the engaged fold of the strip, and disconnected therefrom by its lateral motion to permit independent return rocking motion of the bar into strip engaging position, and a retracting spring for said bar.

5. A strip dispensing apparatus wherein a strip of record material folded into zigzag formation is advanced from a sourceof supply to a writ axis transversely disposed with respect to the pivotal axis of the cover, a transverse bar pivotally mounted upon the swinging arms about which the strip is reversely drawn in its advancement, said bar being engageable in succeeding folds of the strip to temporarily arrest the advancement thereof and subsequently disengageable therefrom to permit further advancement of the strip.

' 6. A strip dispensing apparatus wherein a strip of record material folded into zigzag formation is advanced from a source of supply to a writing position through a prescribed path of travel wherein it abruptly reverses its direction of movement, including a reversible guide bar about which the strip is reversely drawn in its advancement having relatively sharp opposite edges alternately engageable in succeeding folds of the strip to temporarily retard the advancement thereof, said bar being intermittently .reversible during the progressive advancement of the strip to disengage one edge from an engaged fold of the strip and present the other edge in position for engagement in a succeeding fold thereof.

'7. In a strip dispensing apparatus wherein a strip of record material folded into zigzag formation is advanced from a source of supply to a writing position through a path of travel wherein its directional extension is abruptly reversed, including an oscillatory strip guiding and retarding member engageable in succeeding folds of the strip for temporarily arresting the advancement thereof, and means for oscillating the guiding and retarding member to release the strip for further advance movement.

8. In a strip dispensingapparatus wherein a strip of record material folded into zigzag formation is advanced from a source of supply to a writing position through a path of travel wherein its directional extension is abruptly reversed, in-

eluding a writing tablet about the edge of which the strip is to be folded in reverse direction into writing position'thereon, a swinging frame, a strip" intermediate its advance movementa'ihcluding a pivotally mounted strip engaging member adapt ed by its swinging motion to release the strip preparatory to each advance movement thereof, and manually operable actuating means for said strip, engaging member.

- 10. A strip dispensing apparatus wherein superposed record strips apertured at spaced intervals and reversely folded into zigzag formation are progressively advanced from a source of supply ta le for a packet of such folded strips from which 4 the strips are to be withdrawn, a writing tablet over which the withdrawn portions of the strips are to be reversely folded into writing position, an oscillatory detent means swinging about an axis substantially parallel to the plane of the strips. into and out of engagement therewith,'said detent means being automatically engageable with the strips to temporarily retard the advancement of the strips when a predetermined length thereof has been advanced, and means including a reciprocatory plunger for actuating said detent means to release the engaged strips preparatory to further advance movement thereof.

- 11. In a strip dispensing apparatus wherein a strip of record material folded into zigzag formation is advanced from a source of supply to a writing position through a prescribed path of travel wherein it abruptly reverses its direction of travel, characterized by a 'rotatably mounted strip engaging member having an arcuate surface concentrically disposed with respect to the axis of rotation, said arcuate surface merging into. a pair of tangentially disposed surfaces arranged in tapering relation forming an acute angle along an edge engageable with the fold of the record material where it abruptly reverses, the record material having the portions thereof adjacent the fold line extending along said tangential surface in parallel relation thereto so as to form an acute angle therein, which member thus engaging the fold line retards the travel of the strip to align same when a pre-determined length thereof has advanced into writing position, said member rotating about the pivot out of edge engaging position when the written form travels around the arcuate surface while presenting a new form into writing position, and means for rotating said member into edge engaging position following the rotation of said member during the removal of the written form.

12. In a strip dispensing apparatus wherein a strip of record material folded into zig-zag formation is advanced from a source of supply to a writing position through a path of travel wherein its directional extension is abruptly reversed, including a writing tablet about the edge of which the strip is to be folded in reverse direction into writing position thereon, a swinging frame, an oscillatable strip engaging member carried thereby, said member having a relatively sharp edge engageable in a succeeding fold of the strip, and means tending to move said strip engaging member to tension the first mgitioned fold about the writing tablet edge.

13. In a strip dispensing apparatus wherein a strip of record material folded into zigzag formation is advanced from a source of supply to a writing position through a path of travel wherein its directional extension is abruptly reversed, including a writing tablet about the edge of which the strip is to be folded in reverse direction into writing position thereon, a swinging frame, an oscillatable strip engaging member carried thereby, said member having a relatively sharp edge engageable in a succeeding fold of the stripto maintain the first fold in close conformity with the edge of the Writing tablet, said strip engag ing member being spaced from said writing tabletedge a distance equal to the length of a strip of record material between two succeeding folds.

when in operative position.

14. In a strip dispensing apparatus wherein a strip of record material folded into zigv-zag formation is advanced from a source of supply to a writing position through a path of travel wherein its directional extension is abruptly reversed, including a writing tablet about the edge of which the strip is abruptly turned and which is engageable in a fold thereof to locate a congruous withdrawn portion of the strip in writing position upon the cover, a swinging frame, an oscillatable strip engaging member carried thereby, said member having a relatively sharp edge engageable in a succeeding fold of the strip, to maintain the first fold in close conformity with the edge of the writing tablet.

, 15. In a strip dispensing apparatus, wherein a strip of record material folded in zig-zag formation is advanced from a source of supply to av writing position througha path of travel wherein its directional extension is abruptly reversed, including a' writing tablet about the edge of which the strip is abruptly turned and which is engageable in a fold thereof to locate a congruous portion of the strip in writing, position on the tablet,

and a pivoted and oscillatable strip' engaging member having a relatively sharp edge engageable in a succeeding fold of the strip to maintain the first fold in close conformity with the edge of the writing tablet.

16. In a strip dispensing apparatus wherein a strip of record material folded in zig-zag formation is advanced from a source of supply to a writing position through a path of travel wherein its directional extension is abruptly reversed, including a writing tablet about the edge of which the strip is abruptly turned and which is engageable in a fold thereof to locate a congruous portion of the strip in writing position on the tablet, and a pivoted and oscillatable strip engaging member having a relatively sharp edge engageable in a succeeding fold of the strip, and means tending to move said strip engaging member to maintain the'first fold in close conformity with the writing tablet.

1'7. In a strip dispensing apparatus wherein a strip ofrecord material folded in zig-zag formation is advanced from a source of supply to a writing position through a path of travel wherein its directional extension is abruptly reversed, including a writing tablet about the edge of which the strip is abruptly turned and which is engageable in a fold thereof to locate a congruous portion of the strip in writing position on the tablet, and an oscillatable strip engaging mem ber having a relatively sharp edge engageable in a succeeding fold of the strip, and means tend ing to move said strip engaging member to maintain the first fold in close conformity with the.

member having strip engaging edges on opposite sides of its pivotal mounting and adapted by its swinging motionto release the strip from one of the edges and permit advance movement of the strip and present thelother edge thereof in position to arrest advance movement of the strip upon the desired'advancement thereof.

19. A strip dispensing apparatus wherein a strip of record material folded into zig-zag formation is intermittently advanced from a source of supply to a writing position and temporarily arrested intermediate its advance movements, including a pivotally mounted strip engaging member having a plurality of strip engaging edges, and adapted by its swinging motion to release the strip for advance movement thereof and present another edge in position for a subsequent arresting of the advance movement of the strip.

20. A strip dispensing apparatus wherein a strip of record material folded into zig-zag formation is intermittently advanced from a source of supply to a writing position and temporarily arrested intermediate its advance movements, including a pivotally mounted strip engaging member having a plurality of strip engaging edges, and adapted by its swinging motion to release the strip for advance movement thereof and present another edge in position for a subsequent arresting of the advance movement of the strip,

said member being automatically actuated by 10 

